THALLIUM
(Data in kilograms of thallium content, unless noted)
Domestic Production and Use: Thallium is a byproduct metal recovered in some
countries from flue dusts and residues collected in the smelting of copper, zinc, and
lead ores. Although thallium was contained in ores mined or processed in the United
States, it was not recovered domestically in 1995. The estimated value of thallium
consumed in 1995 was $210,000. Research and development in the use of thallium-base
superconductor materials accounted for a significant portion of the thallium consumed
domestically in 1995. Thallium also was used in electronics, alloys, glass
manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.
Salient Statistics--United States: 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995e/
Imports for consumption1/ 1,013 838 273 630 700
Exports NA NA NA NA NA
Consumptione/ 850 800 300 630 700
Price, metal, dollars per kilogram2/ 190 230 230 285 300
Net import reliance3/ as a percent of
apparent consumption 100 100 100 100 100
Recycling: None.
Import Sources (1991-94): Belgium, 69%; Canada, 27%; and United Kingdom, 4%.
Tariff: Item Number Most favored nation (MFN)4/ Non-MFN5/
12/31/95 12/31/95
Unwrought waste and
scrap 8112.91.6000 5.2% ad val. 25% ad val.
Depletion Allowance: 14% (Domestic), 14% (Foreign).
Government Stockpile: None.
Prepared by Gerald R. Smith, (703) 648-4983.
THALLIUM
Events, Trends, and Issues: Research and development activities of both a basic and
applied nature were conducted during 1995 to improve and expand the use of thallium.
These experimental activities concerned essentially all existing uses of thallium as
well as its potential use in superconductor alloys.
Thallium metal and its compounds are highly toxic materials and are strictly
controlled to prevent a threat to humans and the environment. Thallium and its
compounds can be absorbed into the human body by skin contact, ingestion, or
inhalation of dust or fumes.
World Mine Production, Reserves, and Reserve Base:6/
Mine production Reserves7/ Reserve base7/
1994 1995
United States (8/) (8/) 32,000 120,000
Other countries 15,000 15,000 350,000 530,000
World total (may
be rounded) 15,000 15,000 380,000 650,000
World Resources: World resources of thallium contained in zinc resources are about
17 million kilograms, most of which is in Europe, Canada, and the United States. An
additional 630 million kilograms is in the world's coal resources. The average
thallium content of the Earth's crust has been estimated at 0.7 parts per million.
Substitutes: While other light-sensitive materials can substitute for thallium and
its compounds in specific electronic applications, ample supplies of thallium
discourage development of substitute materials.
e/Estimated. NA Not available.
1/Unwrought and waste and scrap, including thallium contained in compounds.
2/Estimated price of 99.99%-pure metal.
3/Defined as imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock
changes.
4/No tariff for Canada according to North American Free Trade Agreement.
5/See Appendix B.
6/Estimates, based on thallium content of zinc ores.
7/See Appendix C for definitions.
8/Thallium contained in mined base metal ores, estimated at 450 to 500 kilograms per
year, is separated from the base metals but not extracted for commercial use.
Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 1996